Prevalence of Urinary Schistosomiasis, Knowledge, Attitude, Perception and Treatment Practices in Fikyu Community, USSA Local Government Area of Taraba State, North Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Schistosomiasis is one of the major parasitic diseases of man ranking second only to malaria in terms of its socio-economic and public health importance in tropical and subtropical areas. Study on Urinary Schistosomiasis was conducted to determine its prevalence and to assess the knowledge, attitude, perception and treatment practice among people in Fikyu community of Ussa LGA, Taraba State between February to October. Three hundred and ninety urine samples collected were screened visually for gross haematuria, using commercial reagent strip (Medi-test combi-9) in accordance with manufacturer's instruction for microhaematuria and proteinuria, filtration technique was used to detect presence of Schistosoma haematobium eggs in urineand then Questionnaire was also administered to subjects to collect information on socio-demographic data, knowledge, attitude, perception and treatment practices. An overall prevalence of 32.05% (125/390) was recorded out of the three hundred and ninety urine samples examined. Microhaematuria was detected in 209(53.59%) while Proteinuria detected in 390(100%) of the urine samples screened for both microhaematuria and proteinuria respectively. 351(90%) respondents were knowledgeable of the snail in the area. All the respondents (100%) believed that presence of blood in the urine is a sign of sickness. 58.70% subjects did nothing on the treatment of the infection, 40% went to hospital for treatment while 1.03% sought for traditional treatment for the infection. Findings from this study revealed that urinary schistosomiasis is present in the area and therefore urgent intervention in the study area is needed.